It’s not hard
to tell when something is a good fit. An ill-fitting jacket binds, restricts,
is uncomfortable to wear, and detracts from one’s appearance. On the other
hand, a jacket that is a good fit enhances everything about the person wearing
it. Fitness, truly, is an asset that is advantageous in every aspect of our
lives. Spiritual fitness is the most advantageous of all. And so we sing: “More
fit for the kingdom, more useful I’d be, more blessed and holy, more Savior,
like Thee.”
Priscilla was
a woman who was uncommonly fit for the kingdom of God. Let’s explore what made
her such a good fit. Paul first met Aquila and Priscilla in Corinth on his
second missionary journey. They had arrived in Corinth not much before Paul
having been forced to leave Rome by order of Emperor Claudius. They had
somewhat in common with Paul, being tentmakers like him, and so Paul resided
with them during his sojourn in Corinth. This bit of information sounds rather
commonplace until one examines the situation more critically.
The
circumstances that prevailed when the Jews were ordered out of Rome could not
have been pleasant for them. It is doubtful they were able to leave with more
than a few meager possessions. Yet, shortly after arriving in Corinth,
Priscilla had already established a home by the time Paul arrived. We read of
no whining on her part, no berating of her circumstances, no accusing her
husband of not doing anything to prevent the loss of their previous home. She
had just the right kind of attitude that made her fit for the kingdom.
Furthermore,
meeting Paul’s need for a place to stay was no imposition to her and her
husband. If there was ever a time to gracefully bow out of showing hospitality
that was the time. There seems to have been an almost instant rapport between
those three first century Christians, a connection that went far beyond the
mere fact that they shared an occupation. The stronger bond was their faith in
the Savior.
The Bible is
not specific about how long Paul stayed in Corinth, but when he left Aquila and
Priscilla went with him as he began to travel back to Antioch. Passing through
Ephesus he left Aquila and Priscilla there in that city. It was here that they
encountered Apollos. Apollos must have been a man among men. He is described as
eloquent, competent in the scriptures, instructed in the way of the Lord, and
fervent in spirit. He was a bold speaker who was accurate in his teaching. Yet,
when Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they detected some deficiency in his
understanding, and so they explained the way of God to him more accurately.
They had a unique blend of boldness and tact so that Apollos left their
presence having grown spiritually.
Again, we are
not able to determine how frequently Paul and this couple were together, but we
can know that Paul had an extremely high regard for them. In Romans 16:3 he
calls them his coworkers in Christ Jesus; in 1 Corinthians 16:19 he informs the
church at Corinth that Aquila and Priscilla greet them warmly, and we learn
that there is a church meeting at their home, and in 1 Timothy 4:19 he urges
the young evangelist to greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household
of Onesiphorus. The most informative statement Paul made regarding
Priscilla and her husband is found in Romans 16:4. It informs us that Priscilla
and her husband were uncommonly fit for the kingdom. Paul wrote, “they risked their lives for me. Not only I
but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.”
Jesus
said, in Luke 9:62, “No one who puts a
hand to the plow and looks back
is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Priscilla never
looked back, not to the home she left in Rome, not to the home she left in
Corinth when she moved on to Ephesus, not to whatever worldly goods and
benefits were hers when she and Aquila risked their lives for Paul. From Jesus’
point of view, she was a good fit. Are we?
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